Teddington Pool should do more for the young and old.

I like Teddington Pool – I actually learnt to swim there. It’s a skill that could save your life or the life of someone else and, as we all know, it is fantastic exercise.

So, with the benefits so clear, why do those that could most benefit – the young as a life skill and battle against obesity and the old as it improves general health without impacting on joints – have to pay?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not some woolly liberal who thinks everything should be free. In Surrey, in Godalming and the surrounding areas, swimming is free at the moment for the under 8s and over 80s. Why can’t Richmond Council do the same?

I don’t think its could be cost (under 8s go with adults paying full price and more people through the door means more coffees, more chance to flog memberships etc). I’m not having a go at the council – just putting it out there as an idea.

Here’s the link to the Godalming information.

http://tinyurl.com/2wg6gtk